The National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr. Nasir Fagge, has accused the federal government of not telling Nigerians the truth about the demand of the union as regards the government’s statement that the union's demand has been met.
According to Fagge, ASUU had a Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with the federal government for it to spend over N3 trillion to turn around the fortune of all federal and state universities and also to better the lot of the educational sector in the country.
“The agreement is for the federal government to spend N800 billion yearly for the next four years, but what we have is government talking about N130 billion which is very insignificant," he said.
Fagge made the revelation Tuesday, while fielding questions from journalists, at the end of the congress of the Benue State University chapter of ASUU, in Makurdi.
He said: "Our demands are genuine, and it is based on the mutual agreement entered into in 2009 by government and ASUU. We urge the government to be responsible to that agreement.
"President Goodluck Jonathan said the strike is being politicised but the truth is that it is government that is playing politics with our demands. It is as if every problem in this country is now being politicised.
"I want to ask one basic question: Is it political to ask government to be responsible enough to implement an agreement she willingly entered into.
"It is important to state clearly that we are a union of intellectuals, and we cannot accept a situation were the tail will wag the dog. Whatever we do is for the betterment of the Nigerian university system.”
In addition, the ASUU national president said: "It is important to place on record that the struggle is a continuous one but the implementation of the 2009 agreement is key to improving on facilities in our universities and placing it at par with what we have in other parts of the world."
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Education is very important that is why Asuu must reach an acheivabble agreement even if it means spreading the 3 trillion across 8years...
ReplyDeleteCome to think of it this is the very first time asuu will be demanding for such amount and is requesting for it almost immediately,,,(800 billion) ,, With a Northerner as their president,,,, This is really ANOTHER MAKE THE NATION UNGOVERNABLE....
@Emex, bro I disagree with U on this one. I'm currently studying M.Sc computer in one of the federal universities in the north. We have free internet services in and around the campus, but we hardly enjoy this service bcos of lack of power supply. Also, if U're pressed during lectures, there is/are no available rest room. So many other facilities(especially the hostels) are in sorry state.
ReplyDeleteSo Emex, though we know some persons do not like our bros Jona for reasons best known to them, but we also call a spade a spade. Though, this strike is delaying my program, but I'm 101% with my beloved ASUU on this matter. My sincere message to my beloved ASUU is that THIS STRUGGLE SHOULD CONTINUE AND VICTORY IS SURE.
Today I know truely that u think through your anus. NAU awka has never received take off grant since its inception but I believe it is a thousand times better than that northern university because it generates internal revenue by raising its tuition fee and so many other activities. Most northern universities are solely dependent on federal allocation as if the FG declared free education in the north.
DeleteU spend money to go to the university in the US and other western world, why should ours, a developing nation be different?
1st time u will make reasonable comment without any abusive words,pls keep it up.
DeleteI thougt it was 100b per year. Who is now saying the truth? But let's be realistic! Its not possible to have a turn around in a day. They should go n start work with what they have on ground. 3 trillion haba! They want to cripple Nigeria? They should call off joor. We will manage.
DeleteThis Emex! I've noticed you've been portraying urself as an ardent enemy of the north. Whatever happens you are quick at painting a bad picture against the north. Let me sound a note of warning! If you don't desist from this attitude, you'll force some of us to come out of our shells and that won't be favourable on your part! Save yourself some embarassment and look before you leap!!! The era of keeping silent is over! Stick to your business or prepare to get winked!!! With all respect, It's Suraj.
ReplyDeleteWhat is this treat you are giving, what shell are you talking about,,,ok I get it MR boko haRAM
DeleteNa wa for u Suraj and Emex is that the way national dialogue will go? Getting wink and coming out to achieve what? Abeg educate people on what they don't know and correct misconceptions. Anyway, ASUU should call off this strike cos after one year they will still won't achieve much but, would ve wasted students time. Every year it is about agreement, my question is , Has ASUU kept their own side of the bargain?
DeleteWhat an unrealistic demand! Can ASUU tell us what they have been doing with the IGR being generated by their respective universities no matter how small. what about DTLC, grants etc.The little research being funded what has being the outcome no matter how small.
ReplyDeleteIt is known that money for research have been diverted by them to buy the latest jeeps in town ( as if they are politician).with little or nothing spent on the real research.
The truth is that ASUU is only fighting for their pocket. Give them the 93billion for allowances and they will forget about infrastructure! who's is deceiving who?
If Jonathan has released 130 billion to universities which no other president has ever done before , why cant ASUU honorably accept it and resume.That is the politics in it.
But the truth is education problem cant be solved in a day as it is in other sectors.
So ASUU think and act wise
asuu stop ursef n sum states who blievd in d rubish u pipo are doin; i knw say jona dat fup sumtymz buh u n i knw dat u pipo are dis for ur selfish reasonz,so asuu jst wakeup n strt sumtyn reasonable abt our educational secto
ReplyDelete4k u suraj its john 4k u again
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 4:41 stop reeking of primodial sentiment. Who is Jonathan to give ASSU money? Nigeria is above an individual. What ASSU is requesting for will come from federations account and not from GEJ pocket. Studies have shown that we our universities are producing poor graduates all due to recklessness of govt in handling tatiary education. GEJ intellectualism is a complete washout because we thought he will be different.If he doesn't have a clue on this impasse he should get out of power.
ReplyDeleteHmmmmmm na God hand we dey
ReplyDeleteThe, I'm not in support of the Delay(Unending Strike) but I want to make something Clear...
ReplyDeleteIf the government entered an agreement with ASUU, then they should as well comply with the ends of the agreement. Or was it part of His campaigns in 2009??? This same administration spent N10bn in 2010 for our independence celebration. The president should not Joke with Our education. Come to think of it, what ASUU is demanding is to meet up to int'l standard. A whole giant of Africa cannot produce a quality environment for good higher learning and we go around chasing Our 'Greedy Empty Dreams'.
Finally I say... Mr President clear off your Desk, either by resigning or by meeting this ends.
iAm DREAM-I.C.E. from FUTO
asuu shld fire down. no retreat.if u call off d strike nw without fg meeting ur demands, it will b very embarrassing. so maintain ur stand 4 d future of our dear country.politics or no politics, north or south, educational deterioration is everywhere in naija. we shld all stop dis rubbish of north/south sentiment n face d reality on ground.our educational system is nothing 2 ride home abt.let us join hand n support asuu in dis struggle. futo dat im into is a skeleton of itself.a pity.
ReplyDeleteFG, please come up with a program on how to service the MoU you had with ASUU. The whole amount may not be paid once. Like gentle and responsible government, come up with a program to service the MoU and ASUU will end the strike. Maybe GEJ will exhaust his second tenure before ASUU remembers strike again. Perhaps the next president will find another strategy to continue to push forward the evil days for Nigeria. A country interested in spending over 40% of its annual budget on salary, wages and allowances on its executives,the upper and lower houses is bound to fail one day. The sovereign national conference on course now is an indicator.
ReplyDeletethis is an unrealistic demand. the country as it is, is owing less debt than what is being demanded. from what i see here, this ASSU people are looking for their share in the national cake and they are taking it by force.
ReplyDeleteWhatever the agreement says is unrealistic if the FG alone is expected to honou the agreement souly. The states must be responsible as well as the private sector. 3 trillion is not small, it is almost our yearly budget as a nation. Emeka Udeagu
ReplyDeleteHow can ASUU demand our national budget for education alone. Without the nation can ASUU stand. That is irresponsible.
ReplyDeleteMr Emeka Udeagu, pls note that the senate president's salary and entittlement is N1 trillion per annual. What Asuu is asking for is right. My question is why should Jonathan see reason issues been politicalize, that was the same thing he said concerning the fuel strike. Its high time he faced his responsibility as a president.
ReplyDeleteNasir Fagge! You and your group of politicians are thives, why can't you ask for Aso-Rock villa to be handed over to you.
ReplyDeleteIs quite unfortune that some of your children are studying abroad where truth is leading shame on you!
My own suggestion is for each University present their own need,and let Assu be desolve-so we can release ropes from our necks crooks!
That amount is mind burgling and it is for universities alone. Primary and secondary education systems are even in worse shape. ASUU must be reasonable.
ReplyDelete